The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) seeks to recruit an experienced and motivated Postdoctoral Research Fellow to lead a rigorous, interdisciplinary applied research program quantifying the economic returns, environmental benefits, and policy implications of scaling thermostable PPR vaccination in Mali.

ILRI works to improve food and nutritional security and reduce poverty in developing countries through research for efficient, safe and sustainable use of livestock. It is the only one of 15 CGIAR Research Centres dedicated entirely to animal agriculture research for the developing world. Co-hosted by Kenya and Ethiopia, it has regional or country offices and projects in East, South and Southeast Asia as well as Central, East, Southern and West Africa. www.ilri.org

Background

Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) is a highly contagious viral disease that causes significant morbidity and mortality in sheep and goat populations in Mali. This disease imposes substantial socio-economic burdens, threatening livelihoods, reducing productivity, and undermining national food security and rural economies. PPR outbreaks restrict livestock trade and escalate emergency veterinary response costs.

The locally produced thermostable OvipestePlus vaccine, stable at elevated ambient temperatures for several days, eliminates the constraints of the conventional cold chain, enhancing logistical feasibility and cost-effectiveness, especially in remote pastoral settings with limited veterinary infrastructure. Its demonstrated high efficacy and reduced wastage align with Mali’s National PPR Eradication Strategy and support the Global PPR Eradication Plan 2030.

The impacts of the vaccination programs are multiple and may result in improved herd productivity and survival along with concomitant decreases in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity per unit of meat and milk which support Mali’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). However, the environmental impacts of nationwide vaccine scale-up are yet to be quantified, necessitating robust evidence to guide policy and investment.

The research will generate actionable evidence for policymakers, donors, and implementing partners to optimize vaccine deployment strategies and financing mechanisms.

Key Responsibilities

The Fellow will develop and implement an integrated analytical framework combining epidemiological modeling, economic cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness analyses, and advanced environmental impact modeling.

Economic Evaluation:

• Review and enhance existing cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness analyses of thermostable versus thermolabile vaccine deployment, accounting for production, procurement, logistics, wastage, and delivery costs
• Disaggregate analyses regionally to incorporate spatial differences in livestock distribution, pastoral mobility, and market accessibility.
• Model operational modalities, including stand-alone and integrated vaccination campaigns.

Epidemiological Integration:

• Use vaccine efficacy data and herd immunity thresholds to model disease spread and evaluate vaccination impacts on morbidity, mortality, and productivity, accounting for differences in production systems and supported by accurate field data.

Environmental Impact Modeling:

• Use IPCC Tier 2 and Tier 3 methodologies to estimate enteric fermentation, manure management, and feed production emissions (CH₄, N₂O, CO₂), dynamically linked to epidemiological outputs on herd demographics and productivity improvements.
• Adapt the Global Livestock Environmental Assessment Model (GLEAM) framework to the Malian context, incorporating fine-scale spatial variability in livestock systems, feed availability, and climatic factors.
• Develop a systems dynamic model integrating epidemiological, economic, and environmental variables to evaluate vaccination scale-up scenarios, herd immunity, market responses, and corresponding GHG emission trajectories.
• Model potential rebound effects, such as herd size increases stimulated by productivity gains, to accurately estimate net emissions.
• Incorporate additional environmental indicators where data permit, including land use for feed, nutrient cycling, water use, and biodiversity impacts.
• Generate marginal abatement cost curves (MACCs) for vaccine deployment scenarios, enabling integration with climate finance tools such as carbon markets.

Policy Translation and Tools:

• Develop policy briefs, donor investment cases, and monitoring and evaluation frameworks that incorporate clear economic and environmental indicators.
• Facilitate stakeholder engagement through collaboration with Malian government institutions, veterinary services, livestock producer groups, international partners, and donors.

Requirements

• PhD in environmental economics, agricultural economics, epidemiology, or related disciplines.
• Experience in applied research within low- and middle-income country contexts, preferably West Africa.
• Experience in livestock economic modeling and greenhouse gas accounting.
• Proficiency in quantitative and computational methods, including R, STATA, GAMS, or equivalent platforms.
• Strong communication skills in English and French; demonstrated interdisciplinary collaboration capabilities.

Post location: The position will be based in Dakar Senegal

Terms of Appointment

This position is at job level HG 16, and it is open to both national and international applicants. The position is a three-year contract, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funding. ILRI offers a competitive salary and benefits package which includes medical and other insurances.

Applications: Applicants should send a cover letter and CV expressing their interest in the position, what they can bring to the role and the names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to the Head of People and Culture through our recruitment portal by clicking on the "Apply Now" on or before 17 December 2025. The position title and reference number: LCE / 2045 /2025 should be clearly marked on the subject line of the online application.

We thank all applicants for their interest in working for ILRI. Due to the high volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

ILRI does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing or training). ILRI also does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts.

ILRI is an equal opportunity employer

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